Look at this paragraph
from Julia Barr's latest newsletter: "As for All My
Children, my last show aired in November . I had assumed that I
would have a final scene regarding my character's departure -
certainly with Tad or Jamie, or even a last jab at Erica. I
think the fans would have liked the chance to say goodbye to
Brooke and to have had some closure with the character many have
known for 30 years. I know it is what I would have
wanted. However, it was not the decision that was made for
whatever reason."

Is it just me, or is
this inordinately SAD and infuriating all at the same
time? Julia Barr has been with this show for all these years
and the absolute best they can do for her is to let her fade
into oblivion without so much as a goodbye? Without a parting
shot at Erica? Without a kiss and a hug for her only
child? This is not some random teenager who went up into the
attic to find his ski’s and never came down again. This is
Brooke-freakin-English for crying out loud. A woman who is tied
to virtually every major family in Pine Valley and we’re just
supposed to forget that she ever existed and not notice that
she’s gone?!

Looks like TIIC at AMC
didn’t hire that “consultant” soon enough. Although, if they
EVER actually listened to any of the fans, they never would have
let go the likes of Vincent Irizarry and Julia Barr in the first
place. They never would have put Babe Carey-Chandelier into
virtually every single storyline, so that even the people who
like her won’t get sick of her. They never would have turned
the brothers Lavery into the Patron Saints of Pine Valley. And
they would have allowed Erica Kane to have a little personal
growth, for a change. They would have known that if Vincent
Irizarry is too expensive to have languishing on the backburner,
they should put him in a front-burner storyline - and said
storyline would have to be worthy of a man of his talents! For
that matter, any of the storylines would have to be worthy of
the HUGE cache of talent they had available. Clearly, they
don’t listen to the fans; so BRING ON THE CONSULTANT, who will
hopefully be the voice of reason and can be heard over the
deafening roar of crashing ratings.

(Unfortunately, I don’t
hold out a lot of hope for that, until and unless Brian Frons
finally manages to pull his head out of his posterior and listen
to someone other than himself.)

Julia Barr, like those
who have gone before her, has been treated shabbily by the
current regime and she deserves better. She can act circles
around most of the newer “talent” TPTB are pimping to us -
including Alexa Havins (who I hear is just a delightful person
IRL, so no offense intended) and, of course, any of the
obnoxious teens, or even Susan Lucci herself. Now, don’t get me
wrong, I adore Susan Lucci - the real Susan Lucci, not Erica
Kane. But there are times when she just can’t take the drivel
they give her and turn it into anything real, or something I can
actually “feel.” She’s had her moments, but none of TIIC in
charge will give her character a chance to grow beyond the
self-absorbed, spoiled-rotten, attention-whore that Erica has
always been. Julia Barr, on the other hand, can take the
occasional tidbits of trash she’s been given and turn it into
something good, or at

least palatable and
believable. Shame on you, ABC Daytime! (Frons, this means
YOU!) Shame on you for letting yet another fabulous and
talented actor get away. Shame on you, for not recognizing what
the fans really want. Shame on you for not giving Julia Barr or
her fans the respect they so richly deserve. And shame on you
for leaving us with characters like Sean, Colby and Sydney in
place of greats like Reggie, Brooke, David, Palmer, Opal, Joe
AND Ruth (together) and the REAL Adam Chandler. Just….Shame on
you.